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Elka shock for 951 ?

3107 Views 18 Replies 9 Participants Last post by BCBlur, Jan 6, 2010

Freeride777

Discussion Starter · Jan 2, 2010

Looking at running an Elka shock on my wife's forthcoming 951...they provide custom tuned shocks.

"Elka tunes the Stage 5 for a bike's specific leverage ratio and rider needs, in most cases the shock is very close to being dialed as soon as it's installed on your bike. The adjustments provide a wide and useful range that is relevant to your bike's design. The Stage 5 seems the perfect candidate for those bikes with very low leverage rates, and there seems to be more and more of those springing up lately. Designs with aggressive falling or even rising rates can also be accommodated. It is worth noting that Elka has forgone letting the consumer adjust pressure within the reservoir, instead it is set at the factory leaving you with one less thing to worry about"

This is their speck for a 951 tune:

MAKE - INTENSE
MODEL - 951 FRO
YEAR(S) - 2010
SHOCK SIZE - 9.5" x 3.0" (240mm x 76mm)
SHOCK PART # - PB25CR/HSLS/MTB/9.5x3.0
COMP. VALVING - MC20
REB. VALVING - MR30
CAN USE STOCK SPRING - Yes
SPRING - 100/155 lbs - M300x7.25x3.5
SPRING - 150/175 lbs - M350x6.75x3.0
SPRING - 170/205 lbs - M400x6.75x3.0
SPRING - 200/255 lbs - M450x6.75x3.0
SPRING - 250/305 lbs - M500x6.75x3.0
CAN USE STOCK MOUNTS - Yes
PIGGYBACK MOUNTING - ASS-SP-0901-8x41.00 (3pc.)
EYELET MOUNTING - LK-SP109-8X33.68 (2pc.)

Anyone have any feedback about running an Elka shock on a 951 ?

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

rickthewelder

· #2 · Jan 3, 2010

Freeride777 said:
Looking at running an Elka shock on my wife's forthcoming 951...they provide custom tuned shocks.

"Elka tunes the Stage 5 for a bike's specific leverage ratio and rider needs, in most cases the shock is very close to being dialed as soon as it's installed on your bike. The adjustments provide a wide and useful range that is relevant to your bike's design. The Stage 5 seems the perfect candidate for those bikes with very low leverage rates, and there seems to be more and more of those springing up lately. Designs with aggressive falling or even rising rates can also be accommodated. It is worth noting that Elka has forgone letting the consumer adjust pressure within the reservoir, instead it is set at the factory leaving you with one less thing to worry about"

This is their speck for a 951 tune:

MAKE - INTENSE
MODEL - 951 FRO
YEAR(S) - 2010
SHOCK SIZE - 9.5" x 3.0" (240mm x 76mm)
SHOCK PART # - PB25CR/HSLS/MTB/9.5x3.0
COMP. VALVING - MC20
REB. VALVING - MR30
CAN USE STOCK SPRING - Yes
SPRING - 100/155 lbs - M300x7.25x3.5
SPRING - 150/175 lbs - M350x6.75x3.0
SPRING - 170/205 lbs - M400x6.75x3.0
SPRING - 200/255 lbs - M450x6.75x3.0
SPRING - 250/305 lbs - M500x6.75x3.0
CAN USE STOCK MOUNTS - Yes
PIGGYBACK MOUNTING - ASS-SP-0901-8x41.00 (3pc.)
EYELET MOUNTING - LK-SP109-8X33.68 (2pc.)

Anyone have any feedback about running an Elka shock on a 951 ?

Is it just me, or are those very low spring rates ?
And BTW, if anyone @ Elka wants to hook me up with a proto, I, and my friends would be more than happy to put some hurt on one.

RTW.

Freeride777

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 3, 2010

rickthewelder said:
Is it just me, or are those very low spring rates ?

Not sure, I'm running a 450lb Ti (DSP) on my M6 and it feels fine, whereas Elka would suggest 400 lb rate. That's for 210 lb rider weight.

BTW does anyone's Ti spring NOT rub ? Jeez...I haven't heard from anyone who has managed to avoid "the rub" regardless of spring/shock combo. :nono: I'm not complaining mind, it feels/rides amazing. :thumbsup:

samdemo

· #4 · Jan 3, 2010

Davet on the board here, tried the Elka on his Uzzi, using the Ti spring from his Fox and commented that a softer spring would be better. Our local suspension guru, who deals a bit with the Elka stuff has also commented that in most cases a lighter spring is needed.

I'm hoping to test the Elka, RC4 and the new DSP dueller shock against the CCDB, but it could be awhile intill the weather improves enough to try them all out. The local suspension guy has all three for trying out....

Freeride777

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 3, 2010

samdemo said:
Davet on the board here, tried the Elka on his Uzzi, using the Ti spring from his Fox and commented that a softer spring would be better. Our local suspension guru, who deals a bit with the Elka stuff has also commented that in most cases a lighter spring is needed.

My man advised to try running the DSP with less sag, and due to the nature of the Ti and it's extra springyness (note use of technical term there) let the spring do its job with less preload. It seems to work well, I have a beauty feeling when the spring is doing it's work. It's very floaty and responsive, almost as if this is how a spring should be set up to work properly. But, that's not to say a 400lb rate Ti spring with more preload would work worse/better, I don't really know, but that's how my old steel spring was set up and I have to say I prefer this new setup. I'm no pro but I'll try anything if it seems to make sense, and I'm not afraid to experiment, up to a point, for a better ride.

rickthewelder

· #6 · Jan 3, 2010

Geez !
I seriously could'nt imagine a better shock for my 951 than the Double Barrel.
We ( meaning the crew i ride with ) have tweeked the sh!t out of them, with killer results.
And BTW, i'm nowhere near a pro rider, a few in the crew are.
The intriguing thing is Elka pretunes the shock ?
That makes me want to try one.
When you guys get them, keep us all posted.
Thanks in advance,
Rick.

rickthewelder

· #7 · Jan 3, 2010

samdemo said:
Davet on the board here, tried the Elka on his Uzzi, using the Ti spring from his Fox and commented that a softer spring would be better. Our local suspension guru, who deals a bit with the Elka stuff has also commented that in most cases a lighter spring is needed.

I'm hoping to test the Elka, RC4 and the new DSP dueller shock against the CCDB, but it could be awhile intill the weather improves enough to try them all out. The local suspension guy has all three for trying out....

Davet actually sent me a pm not long ago, and mentioned your guys weather situation.
Said the heavy snow was'nt all that bad......
Tomorrow, me and the boyz are ridin, and the forecast is sunny, and about 78 degrees..
I'll be sure to mention you Northshore brothers..

RTW.

Freeride777

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jan 3, 2010

rickthewelder said:
The intriguing thing is Elka pretunes the shock ?

Yeah, from my rudimentary understanding they tune the range based on all the frame/suspension charting that the manufacturers are supposed to have given them and/or with their own testing. So what you get is something that is tuned specific to your body weight and the bike-specific suspension curve. Then you are only really micro-tweaking your hi and low speed and rebound circuits but this is done with more accuracy and not using a great big wide range.

highrevkev

· #9 · Jan 3, 2010

I JUST got my Elka, haven't had a chance to get a good ride on it yet. As far as spring rates go, they suggested a 450lb spring for my weight, (roughly 200lb, 210/215 with all my gear) which turned out to be way too soft. I've been messing around with a 500lb spring, but it also feels a little soft- had to max out the compression adjustments to balance it out, (I do tend to like it a bit stiff). I had been riding with a 550lb spring on my DHX and it seems like I may be trying that next on the Elka. On a plus side note, the Elka is extremely adjustable and very noticeable with every minute change on any of the dial adjustments, (FYI, I am NOT a pro- nor do I claim to be an expert at suspension, so for a complete amateur like myself to notice every little adjustment it shows the quality and range of their shocks)

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samdemo

· #10 · Jan 3, 2010

rickthewelder said:
Davet actually sent me a pm not long ago, and mentioned your guys weather situation.
Said the heavy snow was'nt all that bad......
Tomorrow, me and the boyz are ridin, and the forecast is sunny, and about 78 degrees..
I'll be sure to mention you Northshore brothers..

RTW.

Although the weather is a little sour, the freezing level is pretty high, so we're not snowed out yet.

I've been itching to ride the new bike, but most of the DH stuff is running a little slow and the shoulder is still not 100%. Next time we get a couple days of decent weather the 951 will be hitting the trails. Till then the Socom and SS will be the weapons of choice.

fzylogic

· #11 · Jan 3, 2010

I've got an Elka on my 951 now too (going between a 425# and 475# spring), but thanks to the holidays I've yet to give it a proper ride. From what I have ridden, it hands-down beats the RC4. I can't, however, speak for the CCDB.

davet

· #12 · Jan 4, 2010

rickthewelder said:
Davet actually sent me a pm not long ago, and mentioned your guys weather situation.
Said the heavy snow was'nt all that bad......
Tomorrow, me and the boyz are ridin, and the forecast is sunny, and about 78 degrees..
I'll be sure to mention you Northshore brothers..

RTW.

Rick, he hasn't got the 951 out of the basement and into the garage yet, let alone outside in the dirt!

I'm going to start calling it the "princess"

samdemo

· #13 · Jan 4, 2010

davet said:
Rick, he hasn't got the 951 out of the basement and into the garage yet, let alone outside in the dirt!

I'm going to start calling it the "princess"

and i have room in the garage for another bike?

leggatt

· #14 · Jan 5, 2010

samdemo said:
Davet on the board here, tried the Elka on his Uzzi, using the Ti spring from his Fox and commented that a softer spring would be better. Our local suspension guru, who deals a bit with the Elka stuff has also commented that in most cases a lighter spring is needed.

I'm hoping to test the Elka, RC4 and the new DSP dueller shock against the CCDB, but it could be awhile intill the weather improves enough to try them all out. The local suspension guy has all three for trying out....

I spoke with James today and he said that he had a couple demos that should fit my SS. I am planning on heading into N. Van and trying one out seeing as my DHX 5.0 just starting bleeding oil.

From what I have read/heard, they are supposed to be sweet! :thumbsup:

samdemo

· #15 · Jan 5, 2010

lots of people seem to love them and few seem unimpressed....same as all the other shocks out there.

Won't hurt to try it, inless you like it, then your wallet may hurt a little.

BCBlur

· #16 · Jan 5, 2010

leggatt said:
I spoke with James today and he said that he had a couple demos that should fit my SS. I am planning on heading into N. Van and trying one out seeing as my DHX 5.0 just starting bleeding oil.

From what I have read/heard, they are supposed to be sweet! :thumbsup:

I've been running an Elka on my '09 SS since October and like it a lot. I was initially going to get the Push MX-Tune for the stock DHX-c, but when they stopped production I went with the Elka.

DJ Giggity

· #17 · Jan 5, 2010

BCBlur said:
I've been running an Elka on my '09 SS since October and like it a lot. I was initially going to get the Push MX-Tune for the stock DHX-c, but when they stopped production I went with the Elka.

You did it huh? I would love to hear more about how the Elka compares to the DHX.

BCBlur

· #18 · Jan 6, 2010

DJ Giggity said:
You did it huh? I would love to hear more about how the Elka compares to the DHX.

I didn't get a whole lot of time on the DHX on this bike, so I can't give a really fair comparison. The Elka feels more stable at speed and more supple on the smaller stuff but does bob a little bit more (not a big deal for me). I also noticed that I needed less preload on the spring to get the same amount of sag and that the bike rides a little bit higher in its travel which has reduced pedal strikes.

Mine is not the current design with the re-worked rebound circuit, so it squeaked pretty significantly on rebound for a while but has since quieted down (details about the rebound changes here).

The shock came with decent settings out of the box but I've added a few clicks of LSC, one or two more clicks of rebound, and backed out HSC a couple of clicks. Stock and current settings are written on my whiteboard at home, if anyone is really interested. High speed rebound is set at the factory, so make sure you're clear about your riding style, expectations, and what bike the shock will be used on.

I bought mine with the "high tensile alloy" spring that they offer and it came in at the exact same weight as the Fox spring I already had (450x2.8"). I later upgraded to a Ti spring and dropped 100 grams.

Customer service was great and very responsive. I exchanged a few emails with Sebastien when I was shopping around and, once I pulled the trigger on the shock, it was at my door within 5 business days. They initially shipped it with the wrong reducers, but I was able to use the old set from the DHX and they sent me the correct ones immediately.

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BCBlur

· #19 · Jan 6, 2010

BCBlur said:
I also noticed that I needed less preload on the spring to get the same amount of sag

Found an explanation in Rotorburn review:
Like the Fox DHX RC4 tested recently, one of the first things that made itself noticeable was the larger shaft size - the 14mm shaft coupled with the 150psi reservoir pressure at top out meant that there was approximately 35lbs of effective air preload at top out. This basically means there is a small air spring effect in the damper, which slightly reduces the amount of sag you end up having with any given spring rate, as compared to a DHX5.0, Vivid, Cane Creek or BOS. In some cases, this may mean you end up running a softer spring rate, particularly on very low-leverage ratio bikes

Full review here.

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